Visiting

Sarasota offers tremendous cultural, recreational, and entertainment activities to satisfy any age group. The area provides many of the amenities of a larger metropolitan city, while retaining a welcoming, intimate, small-town atmosphere. You'll find a variety of fine dining establishments as well as homey, more casual restaurants. You can enjoy quiet, pristine, white-sand beaches, and also those with the excitement of larger crowds, watersports, and beach volleyball courts.

Ringling College is within a few hours drive of major theme parks, and just minutes away from Sarasota's own Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the world-renowned Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, and the famed John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. You can visit dozens of art galleries, discover unique retail shops on St. Armand's Circle, explore a number of unique antique shops, or just take in a leisurely game of golf. The choice is yours!

DRESS

The fall here in Sarasota, Florida is usually quite warm, with temperatures reaching the mid-to upper 80s. Generally, shorts and T-shirts or lightweight shirts are acceptable at most establishments during the day throughout the year. Many of even the finest restaurants offer a "business casual" dress code where coats are optional, and ties are rarely required. Typically shirts with collars are requested. During the winter and early spring, evening temperatures can dip down into the low 40s so a mid-weight coat is a good idea.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES

Sarasota has a subtropical climate, and temperatures vary throughout the year. The most popular time to visit is during "season" which is winter – November through March – when the average daily temperature is in the mid-70s. Nighttime temperatures can dip into the low 40s during January and February. This is the most crowded time of year with a huge influx of seasonal tourists and part-time residents, and hotel prices are at their peak.

Summertime is quite popular for families to visit when their vacation schedules are more flexible, the traffic is lighter, and travel prices are the lowest of the year. There is never a "bad" time to visit Sarasota, however if visiting during the summer you can expect thunderstorms fairly regularly from June through September. Make sure to bring your umbrella as well as your sunscreen and your swimsuit!